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BALTIMORE, MD (RAILFAN JOURNAL) – The B&O Railroad Museum, the iconic birthplace of American railroading, is thrilled to announce that Joe Hinrichs, President and CEO of the CSX, will lead the Museum’s ambitious $30 million capital campaign.
According to a press release from CSX, this campaign aims to revamp the Museum’s campus, aligning it with the grand celebration planned for the 200th Anniversary of American Railroading in 2027.
Situated in Baltimore, Maryland, on the historic grounds of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the Museum is a testament to the nation’s first commercially chartered railroad in 1827.
Its sprawling 40-acre campus, extending into Southwest/West Baltimore, houses the first mile of commercial track ever laid in the country, along with eight historic buildings, including the recently designated National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site, the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, and the exquisite 1884 Roundhouse, according to a press release from CSX.
CSX says that a significant facet of the transformation involves the restoration of the South Car Works building, a 33,000-square-foot structure that operated continuously as a railroad repair facility from 1869 to 1990.
This renovated space will become the Museum’s new entrance, redefining the campus flow to face Southwest Baltimore and fostering community economic development.
According to the press release, the revamped building will feature an Innovation Hall, showcasing the current and future technology of American railroading, state-of-the-art educational facilities, and a repository for the Museum’s extensive historical archives.
To jumpstart the campaign, CSX Corporation has generously contributed $5 million to create the “CSX Bicentennial Garden,” an amphitheater and multi-use space designed to host local organizations and community gatherings, serving as a vibrant event space, this garden will welcome visitors and set the stage for celebratory events.
Joe Hinrichs expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating the following in the press release, “This campaign is an excellent way to celebrate our nation’s railroad history by contributing to a one-of-a-kind learning experience for generations to come.”
CSX, the proud successor to America’s first commercial railroad, is the inaugural corporate patron to pledge support for the campaign.
In a video announcement, Hinrichs highlighted the importance of preserving the nation’s railroad history and preparing future generations for the evolving landscape of American railroading technology.
Kris Hoellen, Executive Director of the B&O Railroad Museum, expressed immense gratitude, stating in the press release, “Joe is a visionary who understands the importance of preserving our past, while supporting the economic health of today’s communities, and preparing our children for the future of American railroading technology – this project does it all, join us.”
The B&O Railroad Museum, home to the oldest and most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere, relies on public-private partnerships for its continued success.
With CSX’s inaugural contribution, the Museum aims to encourage fellow corporate partners to rally behind the campaign, ensuring the enduring legacy of American railroading is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.